Video Game Addiction. Is it real? Is it a problem? Do we have a responsibility?

A thread I created on a dev forum about video game addiction has been generating alot of discussion, so I thought I would share the original thread topic here for anyone to see. This was first posted a few years back when I was going through a particular phase where I was consumed by MMO's, to the point that it was starting to adversely affect other areas of my life. So without further ado, here is the original thread. I think the question applies today more than ever...

I started thinking about games, and the seeimgly addictive quality they can have. I have found myself at times, getting so engrossed into a game, that I begin to ignore other aspects of life (family, friends, work, responsibilities, etc.) in favor of 'getting to the next level', or 'finishing this quest', or whatnot. While I do not think I, personally, have ever reached the point where I was 'addicted' to games, I certainly will admit that I have probably hovered very close to the addiction line several times. Then again, perhaps I was addicted, and simply won't admit it to myself. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right?

I did a Google search on Video Game Addiction, and found pages of articles about the subject, as well as an organization whose sole purpose is to help video game addicts beat their addiction. Basically an Game-aholics Anonymous. While it sounds a bit comical at first, after reading through the website and forums, it was evident these people were 100% serious about game addictions, and how it can affect areas of your life - citing divorces, financial nosedives, job loss, etc.

As a game developer, this topic interests me and causes me to ask several questions.

Is there even such a thing as "Video Game Addiction"? Obviously games are not physically addictive, like many drugs. But one could argue that games are mentally or psychologically addictive. Marijuana has been proven to not be physically addictive, but I don't think anyone can argue that there is something that is addictive about it. Many point to it being psychologically addictive. Can games be the same?

Is it a real problem? For most people, probably not. But then you hear the stories about people whose marriages were wrecked, lost their jobs, went into an unrecoverable financial downward spiral, or even some people who have died at the computer screen after marathing gaming sessions. Sounds like a problem to me.

Assuming "Video Game Addiction" is real, and it is a problem, then the question looms - Do we as game developers have a responsibility to recognize and address this problem? Or is it simply the consumers problem to deal with? After all, we aren't forcing anyone to play our games. People should be accountable for their own actions, right? This is a sentiment echoed by the Tobacco industry, who sells a product that is both physically and psychologically addictive - "Hey we don't MAKE people smoke, they CHOOSE to smoke!" While this is true, it has also resulted in the Tobacco industry garnering a reputation as abunch of uncaring, money-hungry, corporate assholes who care more about lining their pockets than the welfare of their consumers.

If we do feel that we have some degree of responsibility, what do we do about it? Is a simple warning message enough, or do we need to try to implement something in our design process to combat the addictive nature of games? Or is that simply shooting ourselves in the foot?

I found it interesting the first time I ever fired up FFXI, that there was a splash screen that you had to go through every time you played the game that welcomed you to the world of FFXI, and went on to warn you to not get so consumed in the game that you ignore your work, school, family, or friends. This was the first time I had ever seen such a warning in any game. Granted, MMO's are perhaps the worst at causing "Video Game Addiction", as most of you who have played an MMO for any length of time would likely agree. But all games can build varying degrees of addiction. Counter-strike, for example, has consumed thousands of gamers - it's saving grace being that a typical gaming session can be over in 30 minutes.

So is a simple warning enough to wake people up? Or do we need to try to design our games to combat addictiveness? I think it could be a possible solution. For example, beginning to design game with a series of several small-scale goals that can be accomplished, instead of fewer large-scale goals. Take an FPS for example. Myself, as a gamer, I will typically try to finish a level before wanting to get up and walk away from the computer. Some games have levels so large that it takes 1-2 hours, or even longer, to finish, depending on size, difficulty, etc. Would it help any to break large maps into 2-3 smaller maps with more short-term goals, providing the player with the sense of accomplishment that will fulfill their "need" for that particular gaming session, and allow them to walk away from the computer to deal with their RL responsibilities?

Going back to MMO's, which are notorious for taking large amounts of time to accomplish anything, I find myself rather enjoying the design implemented in WoW (so far anyways). WIth the sheer number of quests available, I am able to spend my 1 or 2 hours of free time I manage to squeak out between work, wedding planning, etc. actually enjoying the game and feeling like I am able to accomplish something, making it easier for me to walk away from the computer.

I guess that's enough rambling for now. I would like to hear thoughts from the rest of you about this subject. Is it even a "real" problem, or just another excuse people try to blame instead of accepting responsiblility for their own actions?